From time to time I ask myself questions about my future as a polymer clay tutor.
These questions usually come when I am feeling overwhelmed by daily duties, missing some inspiration or just thinking what would life look like when I am 60 and my hands all wrinkled and won't look so great in my videos shoots... (please don't laugh) :)
When I
received Kathleen's touching letter, I knew I am on the right path.
Kathleen, one of my PolyPediaOnline students, wanted to share with me her story and struggle with polymer clay over the years, and how one of my classes "made a difference in her life" as she called it.
Here is a part of her email I wanted to share with you:
...." I have been a stagnant beginner in clay for a couple of years now, all my attempts at making polymer would end in disappointment.
All that I had gleaned in the last couple of years neither excited nor motivated me like your lesson's have. After no joy and so many failed attempts, I was near to giving up.
I had seen your promo videos MANY times before but was certain they would be far too complicated & way beyond my meager skill set, so I continually passed them by.....but your never ending creativity & beautiful creations would beckon me, and I would come back time & again to ooohhhh & aaaahhhh over all your lovely creations & of course to see what new & exciting things you had dreamed up.
It was your Skyscraper tuto that did it ~ one look at all that shimmer & glitter, and I was smitten........it was LOVE at first sight!
I had to try it, but we are on a very fixed income.
However as luck would have it, we received a very generous tax return, & my hubby said that I could have a portion of said tax return for "mad money".
He saw how happy your "Skyscraper" lesson made me, that he then allowed me to purchase several more of your tuto's.
Iris, your "Skyscraper" lesson went off without a hitch ~ I could not believe it!
My very first attempt was a success ~ Absolutely no disappointment, on the contrary nothing but bliss! It (I made your "Skyscraper" technique into a magnet for my first try!) came out Beautiful and Stunning ~ just as beautiful as your necklace...so much so that I could actually give the magnet as a gift (I sent it to my Sister! I was so happy & excited....I could not get that magnet wrapped up to post fast enough!)............and, I was so proud to be able to give my beloved Sister something beautiful that I made.
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| Kathleen's Magnet |
So in the end, each tuto that I am so grateful to have purchased from you, I have understood. They make sense to me, and I am having such fun taking these lessons that you have so graciously taught to me, & then in turn create them into my own vision!
Thank you also for offering these valuable lessons, Your tuto's are worth every penny & so much more, they are indeed priceless to me! I just wish there were more hours in the day, for it seems my work schedule (6 days a week) is never ending, and I have to steal away time to put your lessons into play.
I just had to thank you again for all you do ~ you have made such a difference in my life."
Kathleen H.
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Thank you so much, Kathleen, for your moving letter. I can not even express how this letter made me feel.
It gives me so much pleasure to see my students succeed and know that polymer clay and my classes gave them new energy, vitality and joy in their life.
Polymer clay made a difference in my life too.
If you ask me, After breathing, eating and sleeping it should be no. 4 in any list :)
I am taking this opportunity to thank all my students where ever they are, all around the globe, and "show off" their work, giving them the front row and credit for their hard work and creativity!
This post is for YOU!
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| Tanja Stump's brocade purse |
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| chicco47 Enchanted flower |
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| Fimomaus Enchanted Garden Cane |
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| Suzanne Baer Mosquito Necklace |
Suzanne Baer made beautiful
Mosquito jewelry with metal mesh, when we corresponded she mentioned that her country is so cold, no mosquitoes are around! lucky her! we've got plenty!
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| ranita2009 Backgroundless flower cane |
Here is a photo of
ranita2009's first
backgroundless millefiori cane after following my tutorial. She said in her comment: "Now, I have so much respect and more appreciation for those that make millefiore canes. Sometimes, we don't appreciate all the time and effort that the person takes on making them." You are absolutely right, Ranita!
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| Montse Valle Brocade Collection Purse |
singular1a1 - Montse Valle posted one of her
brocade collection purses, made in various shapes, sizes and colors. She even made a flat plate/pendant out of the colored sheets!
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| bijoux cassandra SkyScraper Technique |
bijoux cassandra also had great success in her first trial working with the skyscraper tutorial. Here are her first pendants using the technique.
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| PhiloKralen Brocade Purse |
PhiloKralen sent along this photo of another brocade collection round purse made a little different, with millefiori bulzeye and spiral canes all over - every design is a hit with this project.
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| Angela Barenholtz Brocade Purse |
Angela Barenholtz attended one of my "live" workshops in Israel and combined her mokume gane sheets in her purse. The result is wonderful.
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| Justin Conley Skyscraper Technique |
Justin Conley shared the new beads (so many!) made in the
Skyscraper technique on facebook, I am amazed by the productivity! wonderful!
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| Pascale Flores-Laurent Skyscraper Technique |
Pascale Flores-Laurent from Belgium made a series of
Skyscraper beads in vibrant colors and designs, I loved her focal bead necklace!
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| FloRaeMe (Joanna) Rose cane tutorial |
UK FloRaeMe (Joanna) with her perfect rose cane tutorial, I feel like a proud mom! :)
Take a cup of water, I hope you didn't dehydrate :)
Thank you for being here!
Translated from hebrew, she designed millefiori canes and bordered specific areas in playdoh. Later on, these slices were baked and washed in water to release the playdoh. If nessecary she pushes the playdoh out with a tooth pick or another tool, taking extra care not to break the cane. Cool ha? 
Here is a fun mind game. When looking at this geometric brooch you would think the coloured clay pieces are bordered with black clay - right? Well, it's only an illusion. In the tutorial you can see that the brooch is made using 2 layers: back layer is black, front layer is coloured and the small space between them seems like a black border.
Wash your eyes with Nancy Adams' (Roundrabbit) beautiful perfect round molds. Aren't they pretty? They seem like a huge collection of findings, buttons and other found objects embedded inside clay. 
This last link is a bit out of your comfort zone, and when I say comfort I mean dramatic and bold. 
